The NBA Trade Deadline gives NBA owners and general managers time to trade any players they want to prepare for the NBA Finals. The massive change across the league has paved the way for other teams to win it all.

The NBA Trade Deadline has featured some of the biggest names in basketball, and it has proved to be one of the best NBA Trade Deadline that has happened in NBA history.

On Feb. 9, the Phoenix Suns became the title favorites by adding superstar forward Kevin Durant. The Suns received Durant and forward T.J. Warren. The Suns are sending forward Mikal Bridges, forward Cam Johnson, forward Jae Crowder and four first-round drafts picks with a 2028 pick to the Brooklyn Nets. This trade has shocked the NBA, leaving teams to scramble to compete with the Suns.

“The Suns have always been fun to watch, but adding Durant has easily given them the best chance to win it all,” said sophomore Treyson Anderson.

On Feb. 6, the Dallas Mavericks received the all-star point guard Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets. Irving requested a trade from the Nets on Feb. 4, and then, the trade happened a couple days later. The Dallas Mavericks also received Irving and forward Markieff Morris, and traded away guard Spencer Dinwiddie. They also sent forward Dorian Finney-Smith, and draft picks to the Nets.

The Mavericks became an amazing team on offense with two players, Irving and guard Luka Doncic. The Mavericks lost a lot of defenses, but they hope they can make it up with the talent on the offensive end.

On Feb. 8, the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves did a three-way trade. The Lakers acquired guard D’Angelo Russell from the Timberwolves. Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt from the Jazz. The Lakers sent guard Russell Westbrook and a protected 2027 first-round pick to the Jazz. The Timberwolves will receive guard Mike Conley.

“I was so happy to hear Westbrook was traded, he has been one of the worst players on the team since he has joined,” said junior Hayden Robideau.

The Lakers finally traded Westbrook, who most assumed would have had a great role in the team’s offense. With Westbrook gone, hopefully this can help the Lakers make the playoffs in April.

All the trades in the NBA Trade Deadline have come as a shock and may have changed fans’ view on their favorite teams.